How to Find the Right Job

Finding a job or lifetime career path that is right for you is not always a simple decision. As humans, we are complex, interesting, and unique individuals, all with varied interests and hobbies that require our attention from time to time.

When you are in the process of seeking out and applying for a new job, there are a few questions to ask yourself before submitting an application or asking friends and other business contacts for leads, such as:

In order to successfully identify career paths and job opportunities that are right for you, it is important to assess your own skills and abilities, as well as your own personality traits that are likely to cross over into the workplace.

Create a list of the skills and abilities you have learned or that you innately possess. Are you a natural artist with the ability to sketch from memory? Do you find yourself drawn to fixing or repairing items? Do you enjoy editing and copywriting? Are you a lover of communicating with others, socializing, teaching, and spreading awareness? The more in-tune you become with who you are as a person and as an individual, the more confident you will feel in yourself once you begin seeking out jobs and careers, even if you are doing so in entirely new industries unfamiliar to you. As Marcus says, “Get comfortable being your true self. Do it at the risk of being criticized.”

It will be important to understand your key strengths and abilities once you begin piecing together a resume or building a portfolio for your work. Some essential skills employers are looking for include:

When searching for a new job, consider what you enjoy doing, even in your spare time, especially if you are interested in a long-term career opportunity. Enjoying your work or feeling passionate about the work you do each day is not only useful to help make your work a positive aspect of your life, but it can help to provide you with a fulfilling and meaningful purpose.

When you feel drawn to hobbies or specific interests, it is important to hone in on these feelings, especially if they may lead you to the job or career of your dreams. Familiarizing yourself with various industries and markets can also help to guide you along your way to finding the best job and career path that is right for you. Growing industries of today that are still on the rise and in-demand include:

Take the time to learn more about your own personality with a Myers Briggs test to better understand which career paths and sects may be optimal for you. Weigh your options and compare job availabilities near you to determine which path is likely to provide you with the most opportunities for advancement and even lateral moves within the company or business you work for itself (if you choose not to work on your own).

One of the best ways to move forward on your path of landing the perfect career is to change your personal mindset. Rather than being prevention-focused, switched to a promotion-focused mindset.

For those who are stuck in the prevention-focused mindset, they may find themselves overthinking, overanalyzing, and stuck on details of issues that are minimal or of little importance, causing them to simply blend in rather than standing out.

Applying for a job can still be done in person today, although there are many easier alternatives including online and smartphone applications. If you are applying for multiple jobs or positions, it is highly advisable to do so via your computer or smartphone to keep better track of your submissions, applications, and any feedback or responses you receive.

The standard application process requires you to submit details such as your name, telephone number, email address, and in many cases, a cover letter. You should update and edit the cover letter you send to each potential employer to tailor it for individual positions you are interested in. Once you have submitted the basic information, you will need to upload and submit a relevant and current resume. If possible, sharing a professional portfolio website or an official website of your own can help to make a positive and professional impression on prospective hiring managers.

Landing an interview can be done by creating a complete and visually appealing resume that highlights skills, abilities, and experiences that are considered relevant to a hiring manager or employer. Additionally, taking your time to fill out your application and checking for grammatical and spelling errors can help significantly when it comes to making a positive first impression.

The process of applying for a new job can be tedious and extremely stressful if you are unsure of when you will hear back or if you are working on a limited timeline and need to generate an income. Periodically check in on the status of your application with an online platform (if available), or by reaching out to headhunters, employers, or hiring managers who have received your application and resume. When sending emails or corresponding via phone, it’s important to be polite and respectful, thanking them for their time and consideration. Always remember that if you are not chosen for the jobs you are interested in immediately, it is important to never give up. Sometimes in life, you have to push and keep yourself motivated until you achieve the goals you have set for yourself.

At the end of the day, you simply have to go for it. Or, as Marcus reminds us, “You gotta pick a path. And you gotta GO!”